Month: May 2017

I don’t know about you, but every time I find myself in the cheese isle of my grocery store, I pretty much freeze up. There are so many options–and so many delicious options at that–that it can be hard to choose. Tell me I’m not alone in this!

Up until recently, I used to just grab whatever caught my eye or fit within my budget. And while there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with that, I wanted to figure out what my “go-to cheeses” were–the ones that I would serve time and time again at my house. The ones that would make entertaining a breeze and sort of become “my thing.” Hopefully you’re still with me!

So, I did just that. I did some research, some taste testing (how terrible, right?) and finally figured out my cheese thing–is that cheesy or what? To make your life easier–especially when entertaining–I’m going to share exactly what I buy to make an epic cheese platter.

As you can see above, I like to serve a mix of snacks to tie people over before the main course. My rule of thumb is to always have at least three different kinds of cheese, and my personal favorites are brie, asiago, and truffled Italian. Along these same lines, I also like to serve a variety of crackers, some healthier and some more indulgent. To top off the cheese, it’s always a good idea to add some charcuterie to the plate. In my case, I usually opt for prosciutto but you could do salami too.

Finally, I add a few snacks in little bowls off to the side. I’ve found that dried apricots, candied pecans, and olives are great options if you’re trying to achieve that salty and sweet balance.

Oh, and how could I forget? Make sure to add cheese knives to your plate so people can dig in easily. It’s always a good idea to dig in before your guests arrive so the platter doesn’t look too perfect to eat. Plus, you’ll be happier that way, too!

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Sometimes staying on top of all of my chores can feel like a full-time job (and please tell me I’m not alone in that feeling!). Between dry cleaning, grocery shopping, and housekeeping, it’s no wonder why people have personal assistants to help them out with daily to-do’s.

And while I would certainly not be opposed to having a personal assistant, I’ve recently taken to a new system that has been working out really well for me and wanted to share it with all of you.

Enter: this “All Out Of” notepad. I’ve never really been one for pre-formatted notes, as I like to have full creative freedom to write out exactly what I need to do and when. But there’s something about this pad that is just too great to deny. For starters, it’s magnetic so it lives perfectly on my refrigerator door. Second, it has just about everything you could ever think of, so you’ll never run to the store and forget an item again. Amazing, right?

I particularly love that this pad gives me an at-a-glance view into all of my errands. Once it starts to fill up, I know that it’s time for a drug store haul, and of course, I know exactly what to buy.

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For someone who doesn’t cook that often, I sure have a lot of cookbooks. I just love the way they look on my kitchen countertop, and the possibility of scanning through them for inspiration at my leisure isn’t bad either.

In fact, I actually would go as far as to say that a kitchen just isn’t complete without a few cookbooks. Stack them up against a wall, add a succulent and some empty wine bottles, and you’ve got yourself a little vignette.

Here are the cookbooks that I (actually!)have been reading–and loving– recently.

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Having officially lived in Oakland for three years now (wow, can’t believe how fast time has flown!), I feel like a roundup of my favorite spots is definitely past due. Below, I’ve outlined some of my top restaurants, shops, and sites, and you can also follow me on Instagram to see more of my whereabouts on any given day.

Hope you enjoy, and maybe I’ll even see you around town!

I love just about every single shop in Temescal Alley, but Esqueleto may very well be my favorite.

Boot and Shoe Service is, simply put, the best. Go there for a boozy breakfast or for a boisterous dinner. They don’t take reservations, so I’d recommend getting there on the earlier side for dinner to beat the crowd.

Like I said, I have a thing with Temescal Alley, especially Crimson Horticultural Rarities. It’s pretty much a known fact that if I enter this shop, I leave with a new plant friend.

There’s nothing like Jack London Square on a beautiful sunny day. There are so many yummy restaurants to try–Forge, Bocanova, and Haven being my favorites–and the views just can’t be beat.

When Will and I moved to Oakland three years ago, we knew immediately where we wanted to live: Rockridge. Not only is it super conveniently located to public transportation, but it’s also the most charming and quaint neighborhood I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Walk up and down College Avenue for the full experience, and don’t be shy about stopping into every little boutique you pass.

Did I mention how much I love Temescal Alley? This book shop is a gem.

You can grab a cup of Blue Bottle coffee pretty much anywhere in the Bay Area, but the one on Broadway is definitely the prettiest. Trust.

Oh, Lake Merritt. I feel like I could write a lengthy poem about you. Not only is the lake itself stunning, but there are also tons of shops surrounding it that are equally as wonderful.

Last but definitely not least, head to Trouble Coffee for Instagram gold. You can thank me later.

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If you’ve followed my blog for some time, then you know I’ve written a packing tutorial before. But since that was more than two years ago, it felt like the right time for an update!

Whenever I am leaving town–whether for a weekend getaway or a two-week excursion–I always follow the same 4 steps. They’ve never once failed me, and I hope you find them as helpful as I do.

Go shopping: In your closet, that is. Kick off your packing process by looking through your clothes and pulling out what catches your eye.

2. Lay it all out: Once you’ve selected your favorite items from your closet, go ahead and lay them down on your bed. No need to make this super neat, as you’re just starting to lay the foundation.

3. Start making piles: In my last post, I advised you to make piles based on type–shirts with shirt, jeans with jeans, etc. Recently however, I’ve been changing my ways and actually setting out my outfits. So instead of creating piles by type, I create piles of actual outfits that I intend to wear on my trip.

I find this to be the most crucial step, as it ensures that you’re only bringing exactly what you intend to wear and don’t wind up 500 miles from home with 10 blouses but no jeans that pair well with them.

4. Pile it into the suitcase: With your outfits all set out, it should be really easy to see exactly what you’re bringing with you and what can go back into your closet. Simply put, if you have ten extra dresses than days on your trip, you can confidently put those all back in your closet.

When it comes to actually laying things down in the suitcase, I like to revert back to the piles by type strategy. I’ll put jackets with other jackets, jeans with other jeans, and so on and so forth.

I like to start with the bulkiest items first and gradually layer in my lighter pieces.